Episode 9-Liberators of the Oppressed (2)

With some guidance, I gained all of the items I wanted. As they piled on and on, I felt like a conman taking advantage of the office employees.

(Well, I will use it for the greater good, so there's not much harm.)

After they were all gathered, I pulled George aside.

"George, walk with me."

He got up, and we stepped out of the toy store. We treaded the mall's many walkways.

"You did great. Healing everyone, I mean. You were injured as well, right?"

"Yes, I was."

(He's genuinely a good person. Sadly, he's a diamond in a rough.)

"Thank you for healing me. I would still be agonizing if it weren't for you."

"Ethan?"

"Yes?"

"Uh... can you take off the helmet?"

Currently, as of this moment, I was wearing the Helm of Darkness, which vocoded my speech to a sinister tone. The appearance of the helm itself would also make people uneasy. This was exemplified when the surviving men saw me.

(Ah, I got lost in my thoughts.)

"Nah, I'm good."

George sighed and said, "Okay."

We made it to another walkway; we could see the scrambling flare zombies below when we peaked over the railings.

(Malls, man. Any apocalypse story with malls, there's always gonna be zombies.)

"Anyways, the plan is simple. Kidding, it's not."

"What is the plan?"

"Well, I want to be a king, but that's kinda hard if I don't have a flag. That means we have to attack a settlement and take one."

"Are you sure that's the right thing? Do we have to?"

"Of course we have to. Plus, if we're discussing the matters of whether it is right, well, I can assure you, it is. The group we're gonna attack deserves it."

"I'll trust you on it."

"Don't worry; I'll brief you on the matter later. For now, it's time to execute the next phase of my plan."

"What's that?"

"Some casual necromancy."

As I said this, I held a gem in my hand. It was the gem that was previously encrusted in the [Crown of the Lich]. As I grasped the symmetrically cut crimson ruby, I read the instructions that appeared before using it.

[The item will expire after one hour of usage. To use it, harness your mana and infuse it into the gem. Within your mind, please focus on the affected subjects and mentally synchronize with them.]

[Warning: Telepathic whiplash may occur if the wielder synchronizes too strongly to the subjects.]

[Warning: Using this will saturate your body with demonic energy, which is disapproved by Absolute Good Constellations. Usage will cause your moral alignment to lean towards Evil.]

[Warning: The item uses demonic energy, which may cause adverse effects to the wielder's mental health. Side effects include an increase in aggression and mania.]

The warnings for this item felt similar to those medications that show up in U.S. TV advertisements; they list a bunch of adverse side effects, with death being the last one said. At least this object didn't have that.

[Warning: If misused, high concentrations of demonic energy and mana near the cranium may damage the brain and cause hemorrhaging. This hemorrhaging will result in death if left untreated.]

I stand corrected.

[This item is approved by the Dokkaebi Bureau. Any intentional misuse of the applicable item is the fault of the user; the Dokkaebi Bureau and producers of said item are not legally liable in any shape or form regarding any injury or sudden death.]

"..."

We truly live in a society.

(Well, time to activate my reckless teenage attitude and do something stupid.)

I harnessed the mana within my body and poured it into the crystal. Sadly, this prompt showed up.

[The Control Gem is not close enough to the head to register the brain signals.]

(Goddamnit.)

I took off my helmet and looked at the frontal piece. I ruminated on the decision and made my choice. Using my coins to buy the materials, I decided to tack weld the gem into place. I secured the ruby in a casing and then melted metal sticks along the edge while fusing it to my helm. I used my index as a welding torch and fitted the gem onto the forehead of the helm. Soon after, the ruby was attuned correctly. The message prompt didn't appear as I donned my helm and harnessed my mana. I did it.

As soon as I activated the item, I felt sick. A sea of desire flooded in, causing me to lose balance and experience vertigo. I would have fallen to the ground if I didn't desperately hold onto the railing.

(F-fu-fuc-k-kk...)

I couldn't even cuss in my head. The primal thoughts of the flare zombies penetrated my mental barriers and overwhelmed me - I felt their desires: hunger, pain, and their burning passion for spreading the virus to other living humans. The virus hijacked their minds, reducing it to an aggressive, vicious purpose.

This is what I was trying to control? Was I trying to control the sea of the undead? I would have a better chance of manipulating the actual sea instead. My hubris deceived me. I stood in stupefaction, succumbing to the mental pressure. I would have stayed that way if George didn't forcefully rip the Helm of Darkness off my head.

"Uuuuggghhh..."

I collapsed onto all fours while gasping for air. Did I stop breathing? Was it that strong?

"Ethan!! Are you okay?! Do you need anything?!"

"Ju-just a moment."

As I breathed heavily, I heard someone speak in my mind. It was Fraggy.

[Wh at wa s th at hu man sa ying?]

[Bi ting o ff mo re th an you c an chew?]

[Y ou did th at.]

[Dummy.]

I didn't bite off more than I could chew. I bit off an entire chunk and choked on it.

"Are you sure? I'm right here."

"I'm fine."

[I c an he lp.]

(You can?)

[Yep. I c an he lp wi th men tal st uff.]

(Okay then. We'll try in a few minutes.)

As I sat with my legs crossed, I saw incoming messages.

[A Constellation of necromancy wonders if you want advice on controlling the undead.]

What was this? Was a Constellation acting helpful? If I had an Xbox controller with me, I would be spam pressing "X." I decided to be frank.

"Yes, I would love advice."

[A Constellation of necromancy says a beginning necromancer should not control the undead.]

(Heh.)

Yep, this Constellation was just going to spout bullshit. They were probably doing this for clout.

[A Constellation of necromancy says a beginning necromancer should guide them.]

(Hoh?)

Hmm, perhaps I was too hasty to judge. This advice had substance.

[A Constellation of necromancy says a beginning necromancer should not force their will onto the undead.]

[A Constellation of necromancy says that a beginning necromancer should use a mental fishing pole instead of a net.]

[A Constellation of necromancy says a beginning necromancer should have their desires align with the desires of the undead.]

[A Constellation of necromancy says a beginning necromancer should not push but pull.]

Okay, I have to say, this is pretty decent advice.

"Thank you. If you may, could you tell me your modifier?"

Constellations who revealed their modifier and increased their popularity gained coins from spreading their stories. I just received free information, so I might as well return the favor.

[Constellation "Lord of Unlife" has revealed their modifier.]

I balked at this modifier. This nickname belonged to a powerful lich that created the Tomb of Horrors.

"Thank you, Lord of Unlife. I'll use your given information to spread as much carnage as possible."

George gave me some side-eye for that statement.

"Okay. Let's try this again."

George reluctantly gave the Helm of Darkness back. I wore it again while Fraggy talked to me.

(I'll bu lk up.)

[Fragment of the 4th Wall is bulking up!]

[Fragment of the 4th Wall is getting thicker!]

[Fragment of the 4th Wall is protecting your ego!]

(Poggers.)

I began using the Control Gem again. This time, I lasted longer. As I did, I saw this message.

[Due to your virus and similar biology, the mental gap between you and the applicable subjects has shortened.]

I saw one silver lining when I became infected with the flare zombie virus. I closed my eyes and felt my mind branch out. It was probing the infected souls below, feeling their presence. I sharpened my concentration into one branch and focused on one flare zombie. The Lord of Unlife's advice resonated within my memories.

(Use a mental fishing rod. Not a net. At least, not yet.)

I cast my bait - my desire - to the flare zombie. I waited for a moment, but it finally bit. Now there was a connection. Now it was time to pull.

I reeled the undead consciousness closer to my mind until I started to hear voices.

-!DING!-

I heard a message notification and reflexively opened my eyes. It made my situation even better.

[Due to your helmet's enhanced attributes, the flow of thoughts from the undead flow easily.]

Soon, I began to hear the whispers I read about in the Helm of Darkness's item description. As my connection strengthened, I felt mental imagery cascade in. Through red vision - I saw the faces of crying humans, the rending of flesh, and the animation of the newly infected. All of these memories carried one emotion: joy.

[Fleshfleshfleshfleshfleshfleshfleshfleshfleshfleshfleshfleshfleshflesh...]

[Moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore...]

(I can give you flesh. I know where there's more. Humans, live humans, I can give them to you. Dozens upon dozens.)

[Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes...]

I felt the incessant but simple thoughts pouring in. I felt the primal urges for food. I delved deeper, and I could sense the virus hijacking the person's brain, wanting to spread from host to host.

(First, agree with this promise. You heed my orders. In return, I give you humans.)

[...]

This was the only time the thoughts felt empty. I thought the remaining consciousness would try to break free, but I felt the virus hijack again.

[Yesyesyesyesyes... I agree...]

The control that was established increased ten-fold. It seemed consent was integral for taming and utilizing these zombies.

(Remember this, kids,) I thought to no one. (Consent is important.)

I lessened my concentration on this zombie but still held it in my mental grasp. I moved to the next and enacted the same strategy, the same deal. The promise was made, and it was sealed. I did this again and again until I had thirty-six flare zombies in my control.

I started to chuckle lightly. But it got deeper. It got longer. It got to the point where I was fully laughing like a maniac.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! YES!!!"

I arched forward and looked at the zombies below.

[Your skill "Bombastic Voice" has been activated!]

"YES!!! RETRIBUTION WILL COME!!! THEY WILL SUFFER!!!"

I spat out this crazed utterance, and the zombies below cried out. A wave of ecstasy flooded in from them, and I shivered from joy.

[Constellation "Lord of Unlife" is proud of your achievement.]

[Absolute Evil Constellations are looking forward to your scheme.]

[Constellations that love carnage are anticipating the following scenario.]

[Constellations that love disease and poison are anticipating the following scenario.]

[Constellation "Egyptian Thought" is taking notes about necromancy.]

[Absolute Good Constellations are highly disappointed in your decision.]

[Constellation "General-Slayer" ponders on how you will use your power.]

[Constellation "Secretive Plotter" is interested in this development.]

I held my arms out as if I was a showman.

"Dear Constellations.... Have no fear. A proper performance shall come!"

(And I will be centerstage.)

***

"You're leaving us behind?"

Rupert Williams was aghast. Right now, I ordered everyone to file into safe zones that took the form of small storefronts.

"You can't do that. That will put us in jeopardy. Ordering us to stay here is dangerous."

"Hmm, it sounds like a you problem."

The response earned me a glare from Rupert.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. You have more coins to increase your stats. Plus, you'll be in the safe zones, which are specifically made to protect you. Also, I'm leaving some of the items I had chosen in your care, so you can use them when you're in danger. I'll also come back for you guys. Let's go, George."

I grabbed my backpack and slung it onto my back; George did as well.

"Wait!!" Rupert shouted. "What are you trying to do?! Are you actually going to attack our main base?!"

I walked away silently.

"P-please, have mercy!! N-not all of them are bad! Not all of them are the same!! The young men there don't have a choice!! They don't want to do what they're doing!! Please!!"

I finally stopped.

"Rupert Williams."

"Y-yes?"

"I don't know why you saved me. It would have made sense for you to let me die. It would've been optimal for you. Still, you didn't let that happen in the Toy Dungeon. You saved me. Thank you. I owe you a favor."

I looked back and stared at them through my helmet.

"I'll spare as much as possible. I'll repay that way. But when it comes to the propagators of oppression..."

I smiled a grin that was all teeth, which Rupert could never see.

"I won't show them a hint of mercy."

After saying this, I walked side by side with George. We went down the stairwell, and I saw a crowd of flare zombies waiting for me. I should have done this earlier for the Toy Dungeon. It would've made life so much easier.

We walked through the bottom level of the mall and exited through a backdoor. As we did, George wore his gas mask to filter the smoggy air. I looked to the West and saw the evening sun settling under the horizon. It was a crimson red as it danced through the sky; I could look directly at it due to the clogged atmosphere and my protected vision.

George and I ventured into the coming night with thirty-six flare zombies in tow, slowly marching towards Rupert's settlement. It was time to attack one of the prominent, most vile slave drivers in Washington State.

(It is time to play hero and become liberators of the oppressed.)